Good records help you describe a cryptocurrency scam clearly and may support a report to an exchange, payment provider, investigator, lawyer, or law-enforcement authority. You do not need to understand every technical detail before preserving what you have.
Transaction information
- Transaction hash or transaction ID.
- Sending and receiving wallet addresses.
- Asset name, token contract if known, and blockchain network.
- Date, time, and amount sent.
- Exchange withdrawal receipts or deposit records.
- Relevant block explorer links.
Messages and account details
- Emails, chat exports, SMS messages, and call records.
- Scammer usernames, phone numbers, profile URLs, and email addresses.
- Website domains, app names, social profiles, and screenshots of account dashboards.
- Receipts, invoices, payment instructions, and promises made before you sent funds.
- Any requests for extra payments or instructions to keep the activity secret.
Keep the evidence reliable
Keep originals where possible and make a separate working copy for notes. Record dates and time zones when you know them. Avoid cropping screenshots so tightly that the sender, date, or context disappears. Store copies securely and do not publish personal or financial details publicly.
Do not include secrets
Do not share wallet seed phrases, private keys, passwords, one-time codes, or remote-access credentials. These are not evidence a legitimate reviewer needs to trace a public blockchain transaction. If you believe a wallet or account has been compromised, use the relevant provider’s official security guidance.
What evidence can establish
A transaction hash can help identify a blockchain transaction and its movements. Messages and receipts can provide context about why a transfer occurred. These records do not automatically identify the real-world person behind an address, prove every allegation, or mean that funds can be returned. Any next steps depend on the payment method, available records, third-party processes, and applicable law.
For more context, read our crypto scam response guide, learn about crypto transaction investigation, or submit a report with the information you have.
